The Insignificance and Vulnerability of Simplicity

Tuesday, August 30

In the wee hours..

Peace. Reflections. Symmetry.
The source of power

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*****

Labels: mommy, nature, neighbourhood

irony @

12:00 PM

Sunday, May 29

Lone. Lost. Late.

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Thanks to this "map"
Almost missed the run again.

I took it for granted that the starting point is near Changi Ferry Terminal just like two years back.
So I did not bother to check where exactly the exhibition centre was.
Ended up it was NO WHERE near the Changi Ferry Terminal.
The run started at 6pm.
By 6:20pm
We were still trying to hail a cab from Changi Village.
I ran past the starting line at 6:45pm.
Perhaps of that..
I spurred myself on to make sure I see somebody in front of me soon..

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Sleep can wait.
Anytime for runs.
I lasted the lap..
The straight and serious black lap..
Then I finally see the lights..
The music was blasting when the 21km was flagged off.
A stark difference to the similar music blasting in the clubs.
I was glad I chose to soak myself in music relating to runs, not the latter with booze and more booze.
The entire cohort began running and something stirred inside me while I was cooling down..
The dark ambience was electrifying.

The emcee was spamming the microphone with
"RUN FASTER IF YOU WANT TO CATCH THE MATCH OF THE YEAR.."

And yes they did air the match live =)

*****

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And I am really glad to have mommy and her friend wait for me at the finishing line =)

*****

The sunset was awesome last evening.

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There's a video from the official site too..

It's really ridiculous how we travelled for more than 5 hours just for a 1 hour 4 mins of run..
Perhaps this will be my last 10km mass run?
Perhaps I may join 21km the next time.
Perhaps I may never run with the mass again.
Let's see..

*****

Labels: mommy, Motivation, musings, runs, thoughts

irony @

11:45 AM

Wednesday, July 28

A sunny liberation day..

Mommy suggested going over to Changi Beach earlier to get some vitamin D..

Being someone who absorbs sunlight like a sponge,

I was somewhat quite hesitant.

It was a love hate relationship with the sun.

I love being in the sun, on the beach, on the mountains, close to nature..

There's no where I'd rather be..

I dont mind having a nice brown tan..

But the UV rays always turn me charcoal (not brown) within a couple of minutes..

Since I grow muscles and tan easily I should have been a guy duh -.-

All the dim witted worries were cast away the minute I saw the high tided waves..

Like a balm to wounded minds..

Staring out at the limitless horizon was calmly reassuring..

The sky was exceptionally blue that day..

I was so gleeful when I saw those swings..

The feeling of being on a pendulum..

Shaking away the woes..

Swinging off the low moods..

Mommy joined me =)

There were many dogs at the beach that day..

One of them was this long fur chihuahua..

5 months old..

Cute to the max..

My hands could cover half of its body..

Caught this candid shot of mommy..

Heee..

She was happy..

So was I =)

*****

The waves that day were dangerously choppy..

*****

Labels: beach, family, liberation, mommy, musings, nature, photo logs

irony @

11:06 AM

Friday, June 12

09-06-09

Happy Birthday to me.
How often do I get to see such nice numbers ^^

Took a day off work,
Checked my emails
Lazed around at home.

Felt good in fact =D

Just before dinner
Popped down to Chinatown with Mommy..
And finally I stepped foot into this sacred place since it was being completed probably three years ago?

Relics

The crystallization of solid remains of Buddha..
Or simply colorful crystals found on a cremated body.

It’s a form of spiritual energy left behind by a person of heightened enlightenment..
An essence of wisdom, free from lust, greed and wrath.
Untainted by the forces of nature..
That is why the remnants remained colorful solids even after subjected to strong fire heat.

The Buddhists believed that the relics is seen to be the Buddha himself.
That explained the significance of worshipping of these relics.

Probably five years ago,
There were two relic exhibitions at Expo to which A LOT of people attended.
Imagined a six hour queue just to get into the hall.

This temple was built after the exhibitions to house these relics..
That also meant there will not be anymore relics exhibitions in future.

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum

We got off at Chinatown MRT, walked towards exit A.
The minute we came out from the station, we saw the bustling Chinatown streets.
Most shops by then were already in full operations, and the growing crowd was evident.
Absolutely disorientated by Smith Street, Sago Street, Trengganu Street, Pagoda Street..
Only got the directions right after we asked one of the store personnel who was luckily erm not from China.

We soon came to spot the 5-storey building.
Awesome mix of red wooden pillars and glass panels..
The doors had on ancient dragon-head like handles.
The Japanese crafted roofs resemble traditional ancient times.
I couldn’t help whipping out my camera the instant my eyes got transfixed on it.

Conceptualised and designed by Venerable Shi Fa Zhao
The temple was built, incorporating the best of Tang Dynasty

(as Buddhism flourished during the Tang Dynasty)
One of perfect symmetry and craftsmanship.

More information can be found here

The entrance gateway was majestic indeed.
Another place of interest for some fantastic serious photoshoots.
This time round,
Both Caucasians and the locals had DSLRs slung over their necks..
Walking around trying to capture the best angled shots possible.

We entered the gateway and found ourselves in a courtyard.
Just like those temples hidden away in the deep mountains.
Nothing glamorous
Just a simple and magnificent abode enough to calm the tired mind and soul.

Just beside the temple stood the movable stores.
And the hyped crowds going about their usual routines..
Just a pavement apart,
Stepping into the temple seemed to teleport me into another realm..
That of peace and tranquility..

Stepping into the main hall,

The Hundred Dragons Hall
We were greeted by a spread of splendid golden splendor..

The three Buddhas stood grand in the middle of the hall..

Enshrined by hundreds of other Buddhas on both sides.
I was..

Overwhelmed.

Intricate details are found all around the temple..

Even the lifts walls are wrapped in exquisite fabric..
Intriguing hanging lamps, dragon motifs in delicate embroidery..

The main hall reminded me of the main hall back in Japan’s Zojoji temple.
We bought some flowers and candles from the offerings shop just beside.
The glasses containing the candles were laid out in a line on the altar.

At the back of the main hall lies the Buddhas who protect the various Zodiacs..

As well as another row of Buddhas whom you can make offerings by buying golden leaves to patch onto their bodies =)

The second storey housed a souvenir shop and a cozy tea house which was closed when we got there.
There were many corners with wooden benches for a quiet afternoon of reading in the library.
Further up the fourth storey was the Sacred Buddha Tooth Relic Chamber to which no photography was allowed in there.

No sleeveless tops and mini skirts for female visitors.
Females who had them on will be expected to don sarongs provided at the side of the lifts for more coverage as a form of respect to the deities =)

I thought it was a day very well-spent with mommy.
This was the second temple that I absolutely adore after Kong Meng San Monastery.
I felt like a tourist myself that very moment.

*****

Aftermath
We waited a while for the rest of the gang to arrive.
A nice dinner with family,
That was how the day ended..

*****

When I reached home..
Found this on my desk alright..
My dear aunt
Never fails to surprise me year after year =D

*****

Labels: birthdays, family, mommy, photo logs, present, vegetarian

irony @

10:25 AM